Life in New YorkManicure ! Pedicure ! Facial !

It’s funny, the first thing that I realized about New York, apart from it’s gigantitude and the noise, is that all the girls have PERFECTLY MANICURED nails.

Pfffff, too easy. There’s a nail spa on every corner, they have all the Essie colors in the world at your disposal and it’s quick, cheap, and so no New Yorker should have ANY EXCUSE not be perfectly put together up to the cuticle (eww).

Still, it took me little while to get addicted to it. But I mean c’mon! How was I supposed to know that for the perfect manicure, you need:

#1 To learn a new language.

The first time I walked into a nail spa, I stopped at the desk and I started off at the hostess,

“Hello! I want a manicure, a pedicure, some color, and what’s this paraffin thing? Can you take me right away? How long will it take? Can I bring my own polish? What are all these crazy machines over there and what exactly do you mean by “facial?” And what do you call that thing that, errrr, I forget, do you think I have good skin? What would you recommend for…”

…

Wait, what did I say? The receptionist looked at me with big round eyes, a little terrified. After a rather embarrassing two minutes of silence, she started at me, repeating:

And then a very pretty and very busy looking girl blazed into the salon. She picked out a polish in two seconds, put it right in the receptionist face and with no hello, but with a big smile said, “Manicure! Pedicure! Facial!” This was met with a knowing smile and she was guided into the salon.

And then I finally got it… The receptionist doesn’t speak english.

I picked out a polish and said, “Manicure!” And look at that! It worked!

#2 Buy a pair of flip flops. Even if you hate them, get some flip flops.

The second time I went to a nail spa, it was in the middle of winter. This time, I wanted to try a “Pedicure! Manicure!” The only thing was that my feet were trapped in boots, and I got a little worried about the end of everything when I’d have to get the boots back on without letting the nails dry properly.

With the help of a few huge big gestures and hand signs I signaled the receptionist about my boots, “You have a solution for these?”

No problem, she said with her thumbs up, and showed me their futuristic drying machines.

And I thought, Pfffff they have it all together in NYC. They even have supersonic nail dryers.

…

Yep, yep yep yep. Of course. New Yorkers have thought of it all.

But then when I got back home and saw my new nails totally ruined, I finally understood why, even in the middle of winter, I had seen New Yorkers walking around the city, with perfectly manicured nails, IN FLIP FLOPS.

#3 Learn to tip fast, and well.

Yeah, so my post is much too long (no but seriously, how do I just get going like this?!) But this whole tipping thing in the States deserves its own post. And especially because the mega-terrible reputation that us Frenchies have, I’ll have to come back to it.

All this just to tell you the three fundamental lessons (talking, flipfloping, and tipping). Soon enough, you’ll feel totally at home at the nail spa and you’ll have always superb nails. You’ll be oh so very classy.

And there you have it. Now I have no excuse, and I mean NONE WHATSOEVER not be perfectly put together up to the cuticle (eww). Too bad!

———-

In the illustration, there’s one of the new Chanel Khaki polishes. When we first got them in at the studio, all the girls (and at the time, we were in the middle of a casting, so there were a few) fell all over themselves they were so beautiful. The khaki rose, aaahhh!!! It just kills me.

Garance, pardon pour le englais :)
You should try manicures in Brazil once – we have wonderful beauty salons here and the manicure is perfect!
Or, I heard so much about the J Sisters, do you know? Its a beauty salon opened by 7 sisters from Brazil there, in NYC!

Once again, I love you blog. Congrats and ALL THE BEST for you there and everywhere.

You made me laugh out loud with this post. I am a Spaniard living in NY and it reminded me of when I got here and had to get used to very fast to how different Europe (yes, I believe the entire of Europe :-)) and US are. Everything you said it’s SO true it’s hilarious. And yes, I’d love to hear your other story about tipping, because I”m sure we have gone through them as well and will make us laugh and to be very corny “feel like an alien in NY”.
Having said that. I love NY, it’s an amazing city and wouldn’t change it for the world. Thanks!

Hilarious! I love this post, mani, pedi…it is the same all over the US…no talking, just a lot of nodding and pointing. Not only do I tip…I bring all my current magazines to the shop so they have current reads for their clients!

Yes, us New Yorkers are a tricky breed! Luckily though, you’ll realize there are times when you really want to know another language besides English. If you ever get into a tricky situation and need to get out of it quickly, start cursing really quickly in another language, and just hope the people around you won’t understand! A friend of mine always does this in Russian. :)

In my experience there is always at least one person that speaks English at these salons.

The reason they are inexpensive is because it is basically indentured servitude for many of the girls.

Even at a bar or restaurant in NYC, the service people expect you to know what you want and order quickly–it is the nature of the City.

And since there is a nail salon within a block of practically anywhere in Manhattan and it rarely snows, wearing flipflops isn’t a very big deal. Of course, you could always try knitting some pedi-socks!

Two things, one mani/pedi tipping has little to do w/the actual service. If you got the mani or the pedi you tip. The second is if you are getting a mani, always pay before your nails are wet (I.e. when your hands are being moisturizer) this way you never ruin your nails going through wallet

In the winter– to protect your pedicure and keep your toes warm, the salon should put oil on your nails (won’t mess up the polish) and then wrap your toes carefully in saran wrap. This way you can put your boots on without ruining the pedicure.

And I can totally relate, I remember I went by myself the first time and ended up tiptoeing around, spent twenty minutes picking out my polishes…it was pretty embarrassing. I think I’ve got the exchange down pat now though!

Oh! I am a New Yorker living in London for a work assignment… this is the biggest (well, one of the biggest) things I miss about NY. I’m now stuck doing my own mani and pedi. It’s just not the same. Sigh…

Ah, Garance. Next time you’re back in Shanghai (or rest of China) you should try the mani and pedi. Sh is packed with ridiculous cheap nail saloons (way cheaper than NY) so there is no reason why you can’t get your weekly mani and pedi (and haircut/hairdo) and best thing is there is NO tipping in China!!!!

What a funny read! You know, it’s not just a NYC thing. I grew up in New Jersey/New York and the salons there fit the description you gave. But now I live in Nashville, TN and it’s the same here too! Lots of really awesome nail stylist who don’t speak english. But the ones who don’t speak english are always the most skilled stylists!

I can’t have long nails because I’m a composer who sits in a dark studio most of the day, at my Mac and cockpit-like setup! Once my nails get to a certain point I file them back down into submission! I do sometimes go to my local nail bar … they are always amused when I ask for clear polish. I’m really happy that you’re back online Garance … I was checking every day and hoping that you were OK. That’s so weird … but I was! I missed you!

Oh no, you don’t get it! Eveeeeeeeryone in the US has perfectly manicured nails; at least they do on the West End of it, California [whooops, totally made a false assumption that New York and California is all of America!]…

Except me. Garance, we must learn quickly! I go through life with chipped nail polish in open-toed heels, somehow blocking out the scoffs and sighs of all the women (and some men) around me! You just inspired me to make an appointment – now!

Hello! Perfect manicured hands are also the standard here in Southern California, I can relate to your fascination with it. As it also took me awhile to adjust after moving here. I saw on a special news report that those nail drying machines can give skin cancer after a prolonged use, and that there are no regulations for their ultra violet ray emission.

A note on the the flipflops in winter: if you don’t have time to let them dry out properly, make sure they put oil on your toes and wrap your toes nicely in plastic wrap. You can do it yourself (they usually have oil out by the drying machines and if you become a regular somewhere you’ll become aqcuainted with where the plastic wrap is stored), but they should also do it for you (especially if you’ve done your mani). It helps very much in maintaining your pedi until you can kick off your boots and warm your feet by the fire (aka radiator).

Yes the whole nail thing is a world in itself. Too bad you had to learn about flip flops the hard way.

Here in sunny Southern California we where flip flops for EVERYTHING. We have sparkle, dressy,bright colored, wedged, diamond & floral flip flops…you name it we wear it! FLIP FLOPS are a MUST HAVE item.

Hey Garance, I’m enjoying your stories of emigration and trying to figure out your new world, I can totally relate except I’ve gone the opposite direction and live in Europe (Poland actually). Here the girls all have their nails manicured regularly but it is so slow. In toronto there is a nail bar everywhere and you are in and out in 20 minutes. Here it takes at least an hour and they don’t even soak the nails. I’ve given up and do them myself. The only problem, I can’t find Esse anywhere.

Good luck adjusting to your new city, just keep a brave face and your sense of humour about you, and you’ll do just fine.

P.s. I’ve moved to a place that doesn’t have a tipping culture and I have got to say I love it, it’s liberating, and so much more cost effective.

you won’t believe it but I have never had a mani-pedi in my life!
maybe because I am lucky to have long and strong nails. But I am starting to think to give a pedi a try, what do you think? what’s your experiences?

During my second time in NY i found myself booking an appointment for a manicure in a bar!!! Yes…there were people ordering drinks, some dancing and some flirting! and a girl sitting on a desk giving manicures!!!
That is something, no? :)

here is the deal on getting perfect pedi’s in winter…
even after you have waited for the nails to dry (naturally or in those gigantic machines) they will be ruined the moment you wear stockings and shoes, boots.. the nail salons in ?stanbul have found the perfect solution though… they pack your feet, yes, like “feet packing district”. what they do is, once your polish is dried, they swap an unbelieveable amount of lotion on your toes and nails and then wrap your toes in plastic (not the strechy kind) and then you can wear your stockings or socks and even ski boots, you won’t believe your eyes.. this way you will not freeze to death in flip flops :)

I wish I could write this in French (forgot a lot of that beautiful language and I am falling in love again when I read your blog!). I love the style in which you present your new experiences … as I am myself in NY …simply love it!

Garance, I love your posts they are always so entertaining!! And they are most definitely not too long, I could have kept reading on and on and on!! It’s always such a pleasure to come onto here, I really missed it :) and the illustration is beautifull, bisous

I get the mani / pedi, but what is the facial? Great illustration as always, not sure about the green polish, khaki or not. I guess green is just not my colour.
Wonderful to have you back, now with the adventures of the new world.
You’ve made me want to have my hands and feet pampered. The problem is that I simply can’t stand people touching my feet (I know I have some kind of a problem), so they always look a bit … well, not pedicured. Oh my poor feet, having to put up with myself!

Big hugs from the old continent Garance, keep making us laugh about your new life and big-small issues of day-to-day living in a hole new land…

Oh! The tipping.. Horror, I always feel I didn’t get it right AGAIN, unless I tip 100% or more. That’s why, no matter what the exchange rate is, going to the US is just too expensive for me. The waiters love me, though.

And I love NY, but seriously, that mani/pedi cult is a bit silly, no? I can appreciate a beautiful hand (and foot, for that matter), but that excited snipping at the cuticles every week.. I don’t know. It seems like the obsession for body hair has now moved to the hands and feet; if it is not impeccably groomed it is considered frumpy.

Haha. You have it down to a T with the Mani/Pedi’s. I am from NY and go without fail every week pretty much. When i was living in Italy i found it hard to maintain my normal nail routine, and the whole non-tipping thing in Europe perplexed me. Stupid Americana??? I eventually had my mom send me a box full of my backup Essie’s & Opi’s and did my nails myself till I moved back home. First thing i did off the plane….Mani/Pedi. Gotta love NY!

You are absolutely right. I have just recently moved to New York and had to learn how to speak this special brand of ‘Manicure! Pedicure!’ language. I cant get around the idea of having a facial in a nail salon though… could I be harbouring ‘ridiculous european ideas’ as my friends put it?!

Garance, my advice for you: Make sure you have super chic rain gear (boots/trench/umbrella) that just makes you insanely happy as soon as you put it on… because it rains sooo much more than anyone could imagine in NYC, and you will wear these things more than any other clothes you own.

And become a regular at a restaurant or bar close to your apartment. On days when the mass of people in New York makes you feel claustrophobic and lonely (it’s bound to happen to everyone some days), it will save you to go to a place where you’re recognized and people smile at you.

Welcome to New York! I have been here a year (in the West Village… from London) and have yet to get a manicure. Shameful! You’ve inspired me to get on with it, especially now I know what to say when I go in!

I’ve never commented before, but had to at this post, which made me laugh… I’ve grown so accustomed to the way nail salons operate here in NYC I’ve come to think of this exchange as completely normal! Sometimes I think NYC girls are almost TOO manicured – it begins to look a bit hard – and so I’m a less frequent customer now. Also re: the photo of Jenna (breakfast in W. Village) – I love the Doma cafe. Perfect place to have a coffee and a snack and do a little people-watching…

Garance-
I read your blog very often, but this is the first post I will comment on:-) Because I just moved to NYC as well 3 months ago, so I feel so much what you were writing! NYC is gorgeous! Love it w/w/o manis or pedis:-))
Good luck for you here..!

I wanted to hear more about your thoughts on tipping! I live in Brooklyn, but always love that when I travel, tipping is not required. Whereas in the US, people will follow you out of a restaurant for a tip.

Garance – I, too, read your blog often..and this is my first comment. Because I am a New Yorker who moved to France (Lyon), when I visit home, the first thing I do when I get in the cab is call my favorite nail salon (of course, you don’t need an appointment at most of them) and book my MANI/PEDI! Then I call my sister to meet me….

This isn’t what I miss most about my beloved home; but it’s in the top 10!

You tell a great story, but I’m not sure anyone said anything about your terrific drawing. I love the drawing, and all the others I’ve seen that you’ve done. I like the expressive finger across her mouth and the fluid lines and style…and the eyes and mouth evoke the memory of Marcel Vertes for me. Maybe someone did say something about your drawing, but I can’t read French well enough, or fast enough, to work my way through 158 comments mostly in French. That’s a lot of comments!!!